Teays Physical Therapy Center, Inc. & the Putnam Herald are pleased to present this week’s female Gamer of the Week to junior Samantha Humphreys of St. Albans High School.

Samantha is a junior on the girls’ swim team at St. Albans High School. The girls have had a good start to the season, and Samantha has excelled in the first two meets of the year. The Red Dragons are led by a new coach this season, Nick Fraley.

“He is committed to our team, pushing us to do our best,” Samantha said of her coach. “I am very happy with how our season has started.”

She competes in multiple events including; the 100m breast-stroke, 200 IM, 200m freestyle and 100m butterfly. Her top event is the 100m breast-stroke, with her PR at 1:14.60 from last year’s state meet. At the Thanksgiving Invitational in Huntington, Samantha nearly mimicked her PR time for the breaststroke, swimming a 1:14.72, along with finishing 4th in the 200m free.

When asked what her goals are for the season, Humphreys stated, “I want to drop my time in the 100m breast-stroke to under 1:10. When it comes to our team, I would like for our relays to make it to states. I would like for as many teammates to make it to states as possible.”

As for who inspires her, Samantha stated, “My mom and dad are both huge supporters and motivators for me, always pushing me to do better.”

With just beginning this season, coach Fraley has been impressed with Samantha stating, “She has helped make the transition to coaching a smooth process with her work ethic and discipline to push herself and teammates. Samantha’s performance last year at the state meet was undeniably a showing of putting her foot in the door for a spot at a future state championship title.”

Humphreys doubles up on practices at least twice a week, another example of her dedication to swimming with participating on the West Virginia Wilds Team at the Tri-County YCMA.

Samantha carries a 4.6 GPA and is also a member of the Student Council and Dance Team.

Although only a junior, Humphrey’s is planning to swim on the collegiate level and wants to major in engineering.

Please look for other local high school athletes to be named in next week’s Female Gamer of the Week sponsored by Teays Physical Therapy Center, Inc. & The Putnam Herald.

Bekah Warrington ATC, PES, is a Certified Athletic Trainer at the Teays Physical Therapy Center and assists with the Potential Plus Program.